The uneven performances continue for DC United as the Black & Red lost a heartbreaker at RFK on Saturday afternoon 1-2 to the Columbus Crew. The visitors entered the match with extreme confidence in their attempt to eliminate United's home unbeaten streak - and the constant pressure upheld by Dominic Oduro and Federico Higuain proved too much for the DC side. Josh Williams opened the account for the Crew; however courtesy of the young designated player Rafael's "wonder strike" from about 30 yards out in the 22nd minute, DC United then leveled the match at 1-1. Ben Olsen surely was not happy with his teams overall performance and some of the referees decisions but, calls cannot be reversed in soccer - well, on Saturday the calls did. 

After three games at the Home Depot Center to kick-start their 2013 season, Chivas USA had their first road game of the season on Sunday against the Chicago Fire. With only 1 point to their name so far, Chicago have struggled to get their season going and a visit from the Goats would normally have been ideal in order to pick up some points. Although Chivas USA of 2013 is all about entering a new era, it was actually a phrase from last year that cropped on Sunday: “Road Warriors”. Looking to build some momentum to prove they won’t be the whipping boys of the Western Conference, Chivas USA put in another determined performance and fired four goals past the hapless Chicago Fire.

On March 23, the New England Revolution (1-1-1) played Sporting KC (1-1-2) to a scoreless draw in front of 12,215. While the attack won’t inspire any confidence from fans, the defense should be lauded for earning their second shutout this season despite the blustery conditions.

Second half goals by Giles Barnes and Warren Creavalle helped the Dynamo rebound from a 1-0 halftime deficit and beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 to extend their home unbeaten to 33 games on Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium. It was the first career MLS goal for both Barnes and Creavalle, helping fill the void left by 3 starters on international duty.

Much time has passed since that statement could be uttered confidently in North Texas. In its fourth match of the 2013 campaign, FCD looks to defeat a Salt Lake side that is historically 0-8-3 in Frisco during the Jason Kreis era.

Heavyweights of the Western Conference collide late this Saturday evening when the San Jose Earthquakes host the visiting Seattle Sounders.

After a two week break, the Whitecaps will be heading down to the big state of Texas to take on the boys in orange, the Houston Dynamo.  The Whitecaps are going into this match undefeated and will looking to extended their win streak to three. The match in Houston will be the Caps' first away match of the new 2013 MLS season, they will be looking to prove themselves away from home like they have when they are at home. 

The New York Red Bulls (0-1-2) are still looking for their first win in the 2013 MLS season. If two games on the road followed by a home opener against a rival was bad enough, they have another thing coming. NY will play another match on turf against the Montreal Impact who has won all three matches so far this season, all of them on turf.

Although we should not take away anything from the defensive posture form DC United's center-backs of Dejan Jakovic and Brandon McDonald - the Black & Red are going to need a more solidified attacking approach if Ben Olsen's side are to triumph over a very technically sound Columbus Crew side.  DC take on the Crew this Saturday at RFK Stadium at 3:30pm.

Each year a new batch of players leave the safety of college, some willing and some by requirement, in the hope of plying their trade in Major League Soccer. The road to becoming a professional soccer player is arduous and being drafted does not ensure success. Some draftees have become franchise players while others have struggled at the professional level.